Retiring firefighter will be missed

There is no doubt that Mona Allan has made an impact on the people of Green Valley.

You can see it in the eyes of her friends and coworkers and hear it their unsolicited praise of the firefighter passionate about helping people in need.

Allan, 39, was forced into early retirement in June because of a medical issue. She doesn’t want to leave, and it’s obvious that everyone here wishes she could stay.

At last week’s Fire District board meeting, Green Valley firefighters took a break from the usual proceedings to present Allen with a plaque commemorating her eight years with the department. When you count her time at the Rural/Metro Fire Department in Sahuarita, Allen has been serving the community for 18 years.

Friends shared happy memories and silly stories from rowdy chili-cookoffs of days past, and many had to clear their throats and fight back tears.

It takes a special person to make a room full of tough firemen struggle to keep their composure.

“She is going to be greatly missed,” said Captain Tom Louis, who spoke of the void in the department due to Allan’s departure.

“Mona feels that it is an honor and a privilege to be in this profession and to care for people in need,” he said. “Her empathy is unique, and there’s no one who I would rather have care for my own daughters.”

“I really appreciate our department’s level of customer service,” said Allan. “Providing the highest level of service available to the patient and the patient’s family was always the priority. And if you wanted to go above and beyond in some way, it was supported and encouraged at all levels.”

Allan’s dedication and enthusiasm extend beyond her career as a firefighter and into her many passions. Friends speak of Mona’s love for the music of the Beatles, the T.V. show “M*A*S*H,” and for challenging herself with long distance marathons.

Allan has participated in five marathons, including the harrowing Bataan Memorial Death March, which involves trekking through 26 miles of New Mexico desert with a 35-pound backpack. In October, she plans on running in the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Va.

Last year, Allan, who has always prided herself on her physical health, was shocked when doctors told her she has a genetic heart problem that requires use of a defibrillator. The Green Valley Fire Department had just adopted a health initiative to prevent on-duty deaths that prohibits people with defibrillators from being able to work as firefighters.

Cardiologists say Allan has no problems physically, and Allen is currently looking for work with another station that has not adopted the initiative. She doesn’t blame anyone at Green Valley and says they were just doing their job.

“This is so hard for me,” she said. “My job is my passion.”

“Mona is an excellent firefighter and is very skilled at what she does,” said Chief Simon Davis. “A lot of our younger firefighters turned to her for training and guidance.”

“She epitomizes the best in the fire service,” said Captain Louis. “She’s aggressive, she’s confident, and she understands the job with enthusiasm.”

Allan said she’s going to miss the friendship and camaraderie she found at the Green Valley Fire Department, and the many people in the community who she’s come to think of as family.

“On her plaque we put a quote from the Beatles song ‘I’ll Follow the Sun’,” said Louis.

“It reads: ‘One day you’ll look to see I’m gone, for tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun.’ That just sums up Mona right there. No matter the adversities in her life, her outlook is always positive.”

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726